German

After English, German it the most widely spoken language in Europe; it is a key language for business and much sought after by many employers. Proficiency in a foreign language can open doors to a huge range of opportunities whether in terms of future study and career options or in forming lifelong friendships. Language learning offers our students an immediately applicable skill which fosters pleasure and a sense of achievement whilst the cultural knowledge and understanding implicit in our curriculum teaches the importance of valuing and respecting cultures different from our own.

We aim to develop skills, confidence and creativity in the four key areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Teachers are specialised, experienced and enthusiastic, using a wide range of activities and strategies to help students enjoy learning foreign languages while developing their linguistic ability. Authentic resources and the use of the foreign language in and outside the classroom are considered a vital part of languages teaching at St Mary’s and the department offers a range of extracurricular activities and trips abroad in order to enhance the language learning experience at our school.

Key Stage 3

In Key Stage 3 pupils follow the programs of study set out by the national curriculum. We use a range of teaching resources including the “Stimmt” text books. Topics are taught through the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing but we also focus on the core grammar in preparation for German GCSE. Pupils are encouraged to participate actively in lessons. We incorporate fun activities to support learning into the lessons, such as cultural research, playing language games, using mini whiteboards, watching German videos on YouTube and spending time practising speaking in the language lab. We encourage pupils to use ICT in German and we subscribe to various language learning websites that pupils can access both at home and at school for vocabulary learning and practice.

Year 7 Topics

-Greetings

-Describing yourself

-Family and pets

-Leisure activities

-School

-Festivals and traditions

Year 8 Topics

-Holidays

-Media

-Healthy living

-School trips

-Daily Routines

-Festivals and traditions

Year 9 Topics

-Role models

-Health

-Music

-Ambitions

-Childhood

-Festivals and traditions

Key Stage 4

Students who opt to study German at GCSE will follow the AQA syllabus. The course builds upon the skills developed at Key Stage 3 and further develops fluency and depth on the following topics:

1. Identity and culture

2. Local, national, international and global areas of interest

3. Current and future study and employment

Students are assessed on 4 skills, and can be entered either at foundation or higher level:

Tier:

Foundation

Higher

Paper 1 - Listening - 25%

35 minutes

45 minutes

Students answer a variety of questions on extracts recorded by native German speakers.

Paper 2 - Speaking - 25%

7-9 minutes

10-12 minutes

Students will have to take part in a role play, describe a photo and have a general conversation on the topics studied.

Paper 3 - Reading - 25%

45 minutes

1 hour

Students will have to answer a range of questions on German texts. There will also be a translation from German to English.

Paper 4 - Writing -25%

1 hour

1 hour 15

Students will have to write a short structured task in German and, if entered for higher tier, an open ended task. There will also be a translation from English to German.

Exam Board: AQA - Specification 7662

The government has recognised that there is a modern languages skills gap. Choosing to study a language at degree level is a way of boosting your employability.

Besides the traditional paths of interpreting, translating and teaching, students with language skills are in demand. These skills can be used in almost any career, particularly in businesses that trade internationally.

There are also opportunities to work for the diplomatic service. There are many degree courses in languages but you could also choose to combine German with a new language or a subject from a different area–such as politics, music or engineering.

For further information about the German curriculum please contact:

Mrs C Parkin

Head of German Department

For further information about the German curriculum please contact:

Mrs C Parkin
Head of German Department

Contact

St Marys Catholic High School Academy Trust is an exempt charity and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales with Company Number 8107212 and has a registered office at Newbold Road, Upper Newbold, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 8AG.